Company used $2.2 million for the quarter and $6.4 million for the fiscal year of cash in operating activities to significantly advance its technology and fund its growth strategy
Raised $8.6 million through a private placement of common stock
Expanded its pilot plant to increase capacity and demonstrate continuous operations
Announced strategic initiative with evian®
MONTREAL, May 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Loop™ Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOOP) (the “Company” or “Loop”), an innovative technology company leading the sustainable plastic revolution, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 28, 2018.
“We continue to make meaningful progress towards the expected commercialization of our revolutionary technology,” said Daniel Solomita, Loop’s Founder and CEO. “We announced our partnership with evian®, and we were honored to demonstrate with them our technology for media outlets at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. We are expanding and upgrading our pilot plant to increase capacity and demonstrate continuous operations and are also in discussions to begin manufacturing of Loop branded PET plastic with potential manufacturing partners. We would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support and belief in Loop’s potential to disrupt the global polyester plastics market.”
| Financial Highlights | Three months ended February 28, |
Years ended February 28, |
|||||||||||||
| (in US dollars, except per share information) | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | |||||||
| Research and development expenses | 1,353,015 | 236,840 | 6,694,778 | 1,454,440 | |||||||||||
| General and administration expenses | 2,174,454 | 1,246,274 | 6,865,748 | 2,280,281 | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 86,160 | 107,049 | 367,176 | 397,445 | |||||||||||
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 21,042 | (15,285 | ) | 109,676 | (18,165 | ) | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 3,634,671 | 1,574,878 | 14,037,378 | 4,114,001 | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,634,671 | ) | $ | (1,574,878 | ) | $ | (14,037,378 | ) | $ | (4,114,001 | ) | |||
| Basic and diluted loss per share | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.05 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (2,216,043 | ) | $ | (754,559 | ) | $ | (6,391,486 | ) | $ | (2,833,490 | ) | |||
Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial Results
Loop reported a net loss of $3.6 million for the three-month period ended February 28, 2018 compared to a net loss of $1.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in net loss of $2.0 million is primarily due to increased research and development expenses of $1.1 million as well as increased general and administrative expenses of $0.9 million.
Research and development expenses amounted to $1.3 million, compared to $0.2 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by higher employee related expenses of $0.6 million, including $0.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, and $0.5 million of design, planning and engineering costs costs related to the expansion of the Company’s pilot plant.
General and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million to $2.1 million, compared to $1.2 million for the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by higher employee related expenses of $0.9 million associated with the increased number of employees, including $0.7 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, offset by a non-recurring stock-based compensation expense of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as higher legal, consulting and accounting fees of $0.7 million related to the Company’s next phase of its commercialization.
Net cash used in operating activities amounted to $2.2 million for the three-month period as compared to $0.8 million for the same period last year. The increase is due primarily to higher operating expenses as mentioned above.
Fiscal Year Ended February 28, 2018 Financial Results
Loop reported a net loss of $14.0 million for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018 compared to a net loss of $4.1 million for fiscal year 2017. The increase in net loss of $9.9 million is primarily the result of higher research and development costs of $5.3 million and increased general and administrative expenses of $4.6 million.
Research and development expenses amounted to $6.7 million compared to $1.5 million for the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by higher employee related expenses of $3.9 million, including $3.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, as well as $1.2 million of design, planning and engineering costs related to the expansion of the Company’s pilot plant.
General and administrative expenses totaled $6.9 million compared to $2.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2017. The $4.6 million increase was primarily attributable to higher employee related expenses of $2.9 million, including $2.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by a non-recurring stock-based compensation expense of $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as higher legal, consulting and accounting fees of $1.6 million related to the Company’s next phase of its commercialization.
Net cash used in operating activities amounted to $6.4 million compared to $2.8 million for the prior year. The increase is mainly due to higher operating expenses as mentioned above.
Strategic Initiative with evian®
In January 2018, the Company announced a strategic initiative with evian® to enable evian’s 100% “circular approach” to plastic usage by 2025. This initiative is in line with Loop’s mission to help global consumer brands achieve their stated goals for sustainability.
Cash Position and Liquidity
In January 2018, the Company issued 687,667 common shares and warrants to purchase up to 171,916 common shares with 31,250 warrants exercised for gross proceeds of $8.6 million.
The Company ended the year with $8.1 million of cash and continues to evaluate options to raise capital to finance its growth strategy and commercialization of its disruptive technology for sustainable plastic.
Purchase of the Company’s Corporate Offices and Demonstration Facility
In January, the Company purchased the land and building housing its pilot plant in Terrebonne, Québec, which is the site of its Innovation Hub and corporate office, for a total consideration of $2.2 million, partially funded with a $1.1 million debt facility. The pilot plant was expanded and upgraded to optimize Loop’s disruptive technology with continuous operations.
About Loop Industries, Inc.
Loop’s mission is to accelerate the world’s shift toward sustainable plastic and away from our dependence on fossil fuels. Loop has created a revolutionary technology poised to disrupt the plastics industry. This ground-breaking technology decouples plastic from fossil fuels by depolymerizing waste polyester plastic to its base building blocks (monomers). The monomers are then repolymerized to create virgin-quality polyester plastic that meets FDA requirements for use in food-grade packaging. Loop™ branded polyester resin enables consumer goods companies to meet and exceed their stated sustainability goals and circular ambitions.
For more information, please visit www.loopindustries.com.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements.” Such statements may be preceded by the words “intends,” “may,” “will,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “aims,” “believes,” “hopes,” “potential” or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, as well as the Company’s expectations regarding materiality or significance and the restatement’s quantitative effects, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: commercialization of our technology and products, our need for and ability to obtain additional financing, our ability to continue as a going concern, industry competition, regulatory and other legal compliance, adverse effects on the Company’s business and operations as a result of increased regulatory, media or financial reporting issues and practices, rumors or otherwise, the volatility of the Company’s stock price and other risks described more fully in the Company’s filings with the SEC. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings, including without limitation, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are available on the SEC’s website at http://sec.gov. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in other filings we make with the SEC from time to time. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Because the risks, estimates, assumptions and uncertainties referred to above could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.
Contact
Frank Zitella
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Tel.: (450) 951-8555
[email protected]
Loop Industries, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Years Ended February 28, | |||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||
| Revenue | $ | – | $ | – | |||||
| Operating Expenses – | |||||||||
| Research and development | 6,694,778 | 1,454,440 | |||||||
| General and administrative | 6,865,748 | 2,280,281 | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 367,176 | 397,445 | |||||||
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | 109,676 | (18,165 | ) | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 14,037,378 | 4,114,001 | |||||||
| Net loss | $ | (14,037,378 | ) | $ | (4,114,001 | ) | |||
| Loss per share | |||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (0.43 | ) | $ | (0.13 | ) | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | |||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 32,642,741 | 31,102,004 | |||||||
Loop Industries, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| As at February 28, | |||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash | $ | 8,149,713 | $ | 916,487 | |||
| Other current assets | 876,207 | 146,074 | |||||
| Total current assets | 9,025,920 | 1,062,561 | |||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 4,036,903 | 1,566,969 | |||||
| Intangible assets, net | 332,740 | 308,000 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 13,395,563 | $ | 2,937,530 | |||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,983,072 | $ | 161,536 | |||
| Advance from majority stockholder | – | 638,472 | |||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 54,649 | – | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 2,037,721 | 800,008 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 1,033,777 | – | |||||
| Total liabilities | 3,071,498 | 800,008 | |||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 10,324,065 | 2,137,522 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 13,395,563 | $ | 2,937,530 | |||
Loop Industries, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Years Ended February 28, | |||||||||||
| 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (14,037,378 | ) | $ | (4,114,001 | ) | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 367,176 | 397,445 | |||||||||
| Shares issued for services and settlement | – | 69,498 | |||||||||
| Warrants issued for services | 6,281,319 | 135,673 | |||||||||
| Restricted stock units issued for services | 265,994 | – | |||||||||
| Common stock issuable for services | – | 800,000 | |||||||||
| Changes in working capital | 731,403 | (122,105 | ) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (6,391,486 | ) | (2,833,490 | ) | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | (2,710,053 | ) | (513,022 | ) | |||||||
| Additions to intangible assets | (88,319 | ) | – | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (2,798,372 | ) | (513,022 | ) | |||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Proceeds from sales of common shares and exercise of warrants, net of share issuance costs | 15,694,497 | 3,986,016 | |||||||||
| Repayment of advances from majority stockholder | (278,472 | ) | – | ||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,092,980 | – | |||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (4,554 | ) | – | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 16,504,451 | 3,986,016 | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes | (81,367 | ) | (145,603 | ) | |||||||
| Net change in cash | 7,233,226 | 493,901 | |||||||||
| Cash, beginning of period | 916,487 | 422,586 | |||||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 8,149,713 | $ | 916,487 | |||||||